Providing For Consideration Of H.R. 5825, Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act

PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 5825, ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE MODERNIZATION ACT -- (House of Representatives - September 28, 2006)

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Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from the Rules Committee, and I would also like to thank the sponsor of this legislation, Mrs. Wilson, for her doggedness and her determination to do this right.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the rule and the underlying legislation, the Electronic Surveillance Modernization Act. We are at war against a sophisticated, worldwide terrorist adversary that uses all of the advantages modern day technology has to offer.

We know that these terrorists are continuing to plot attacks against the United States, our allies, and our interests around the world. In August, the coordination of the United States, British, and Pakistani intelligence helped British authorities apprehend terrorists plotting to blow up aircraft bound for the United States.

Against this backdrop, it is absolutely critical that our government have the ability to monitor electronic communications by terrorist organizations. We are talking about allowing the government to intercept communications of cold-blooded killers who seek to do our Nation harm, not grandchildren e-mailing their grandmother.

The FISA process should be used whenever possible, but we cannot hinder the ability of this President or future Presidents to monitor communications that could stop a terrorist attack. It is appropriate to allow the President to authorize electronic surveillance when there is an imminent threat of an attack against our country, when we have identified the responsible organization, and when we have reasonable belief that the person being targeted is communicating with a terrorist group.

We must do everything possible to prevent future terrorist attacks. Our enemies will not delay their plans to harm our citizens while we go to court to obtain a warrant. We have to be right 100 percent of the time.

The bill strengthens congressional oversight of the Terrorist Surveillance Program and requires FISA warrants in most cases, the exceptions being after an armed attack, after a terrorist attack, or when the threat is imminent.

The bill is reasonable. It protects the rights of our citizens; but, most importantly, it will preserve a critical authority that we must have to protect our homeland. We are at war and this is critical to our winning that war. I urge my colleagues to pass this rule and the underlying bill.

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